Construction works on the highly anticipated Expo City 2017, designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), are well underway in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 429-acre master plan responds to the Expo theme “Future Energy” by incorporating buildings that will operate as power plants, generating energy from solar panels and wind turbines to power themselves and the rest of the campus through an innovative smart grid.

The project focuses on using renewable energy as the primary source for infrastructure and daily operation of the buildings. Each element of the design aims to encourage and support the idea of clean energy across the project, which will feature exhibition and cultural pavilions, a residential development, commercial areas, educational and civic facilities, as well as parks and parking.

Located at the very heart of the campus, the sphere-shaped KazakhstanPavilion will be a true symbol of the “Future Energy” concept. Its transformative skin will reduce thermal loss and reduce interior solar glare, at the same time increasing the building’s energy output through integrated sustainable systems such as photovoltaics.

Each building was designed to reduce energy use and increase the amount of clean energy that can be harvested. “The building forms are the direct result of a considerate and thorough design process, which AS+GG practices as ‘Form Follows Performance,” said AS+GG partner Adrian Smith, FAIA.

In addition to the excellent energy performance of individual buildings, the architects ensured that the entire development will be interconnected by including a smart energy grid, smart recycled water grid, integrated waste management system, and inter-seasonal underground thermal energy storage. After the Expo, the site will be converted into an office and research park for international companies and entrepreneurs.

The Future Energy International Symposium addressing the issues of sustainable planet development took place in Astana on Thursday, June 28. The event was one of the main steps in Kazakhstan’s competitive bidding to host EXPO 2017.

As announced earlier, on June 12, Kazakhstan made a presentation at 151 General Assembly of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris. A week later, on June 20-22, Kazakhstan presented its “Green Bridge” initiative along with the Global Energy and Environment Partnership Strategy at the Rio +20 Conference in Brazil.

These days Astana has welcomed more than 130 BIE delegates, who will make a vote at the 152 BIE General Assembly in November 2012. Scientists, politicians and public figures from Kazakhstan and across the world met to discuss most crucial issues of future energy use, including energy efficiency, climate change, as well as the current state of the renewable energy market and ways of achieving sustainable energy.

Notably, the United Nations designated the year 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), the latter being a global initiative led by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to achieve universal energy access, improve energy efficiency, and increase the use of renewable energy.

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov headed the Kazakh delegation and chaired the event. Among the Symposium special guests in attendance were BIE Secretary General Vicente Loscertales, Director of Solar Impulse Bertrand Piccard, Head of Energy Technology Perspectives Markus Wrake, former Executive Director of Greenpeace International Gerd Leipold, and founder of Solar Century and SolarAid Charity Jeremy Legget.

The International Symposium became a discussion platform for local and international experts on the role of future energy as the strategic key to create and develop opportunities towards environmental and international security, as well as social development and economic prosperity.

In his speech, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade Bakytzhan Sagintayev said “we hope that the theme of the Future Energy Symposium is common to all mankind and will help us find solution to the global environmental hazards and lack of energy in the world”.

Kazakhstan’s initiative has been supported by the leading experts from the energy sector, NGOs, scientists, and universities.

In his welcoming address, BIE Secretary General Vicente Loscertales said: “Everyone here today should agree that the theme proposed by Astana for 2017 is of great universal interest and deals with the issues of poverty, climate change, economic development, policy and innovation, to name but a few. The presence of Kazakhstan’s highest authorities and the engagement of major thought leaders from across the world in the Symposium demonstrate the power of Expo in joining our efforts against the challenges that we face today.”

Head of Energy Technology Perspectives Markus Wrake noted the transition to cleaner energy sources will bring huge economic benefits, while technology can play an important role in the transformation. “Decisive policy action is required,” he added.

According to Bertrand Picard, “today’s technologies – if only governments had the courage to promote them on a massive scale – would allow us to reduce our dependence on fossil energies significantly. It’s not only the environment that would be a winner. Job creation and purchasing power would also benefit from opening up these fascinating development perspectives.”

The event has contributed directly to the initiation of scientific development of future energy and brought EXPO 2017 Astana and its theme to the attention of the international community.

About

Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce in USA is located in New York. KazCham is an independent chamber associated with state agencies and businesses in Kazakhstan with the aim to provide members with current information on the political and investment climate, assist them in establishing government and business contacts, conduct searches of buyers and partners, organize forums and seminars, PR campaigns. Contact us at info@kazcham.com or follow on twitter.com @kazcham.